OLED illuminant for a lamp

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an illuminant (23) and a socket (20) for a lamp (15). The features of the socket (20) can be implemented also independently of the features of the illuminant (23). The illuminant (23) has a preferably planar illumination surface (24). One or more semiconductor lighting elements are arranged within an illuminant housing (30). The illuminant connection device (70) required for mechanical and electrical connection to the socket (20) is provided on the rear face (66) of the illuminant (23), said rear face (66) lying opposite the illumination surface (24). The dimensions of the illuminant are preferably greater than the dimensions of the socket (10) such that the illuminant (23) fully covers the socket when looking onto the illumination surface (24), resulting in a particularly appealing look. Said socket and illuminant (23) modularly achieve large total illumination surfaces in a lamp (15) and an appealing overall appearance in a very simple manner.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is the national phase of PCT/EP2011/068193 filedOct. 18, 2011, which claims the benefit of German Patent Application No.DE 102010038251.5 filed Oct. 18, 2010, the contents of each which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a lamp comprising a semiconductor lightingelement, for example a light-emitting diode (LED) and, in particular, anorganic light-emitting diode (OLED). The illuminant is designed as aplanar illuminant. The demand for planar lamps is increasing. Forexample, such planar lamps are mounted to walls or ceilings forillumination and are of interest both because of their illuminatingcharacteristics and their visually pleasing overall appearance andbecause of their low energy consumption.

BACKGROUND

Lamps comprising OLED illuminants and a socket have been known fromprior art. For example, publication DE 603 06 720 T2 discloses anorganic light-emitting diode layer located on a substrate. The substrateis designed as a plate and comprises a tab with electrical stripconductors on a narrow side. With the aid of this tab, the substrate canbe inserted into a corresponding insertion opening of a socket and it isin contact with the strip conductors. Considering this, a planarinstallation on a wall or ceiling with adjacently arranged illuminationsurfaces is difficult. It has also been found that an exact alignment ofthe substrates on a common plane next to each other cannot beaccomplished with the desired accuracy in such a connection betweensocket and illuminant.

Publication DE 603 06 721 T2 discloses additional connectingpossibilities between illuminant and socket. For example, bracket-shapedsockets can be used, said sockets enclosing the substrate on twoopposing sites. The electrical contact between the bracket-shaped socketand the illuminant is accomplished via conductors provided on one flatside of the substrate or via two substrate tabs provided on two opposingnarrow sides, each substrate tab being provided with the respectiveelectrical conductors. Such a lamp does not meet all of the requirementsregarding their mountability or the desired visually appealing effect.The bracket-shaped socket has the disadvantage that the illuminant mustbe inserted into the socket from one side. Considering this arrangementof several illuminants in rows and/or columns, the replacement of atleast the center illuminant is laborious and time-consuming.

Another LED lamp has been known from publication DE 10 2008 024 776 A1.A light-emitting diode is plugged into a housing and enclosed by areflector that is also connected with the housing. For electricalcontact, magnetic contacts that can be placed on magnetic contactsurfaces are provided. The supply voltage is applied to the magneticcontact surfaces. In order to avoid a voltage reversal the magneticpolarity of the contact surfaces and the contact feet of the LED lampare selected in such a manner that matching electrical contacts aremagnetically attracted, whereas non-matching electrical contacts aremagnetically repelled. A protection against accidental contact is notprovided for the electrically conductive parts.

Considering this prior art, the object of the present invention canviewed as being the provision of an illuminant that can be simplymounted and easily exchanged, said illuminant comprising a planarsemiconductor lighting element for a lamp, wherein a simple design ofthe lamp having a total illumination surface comprising severalilluminants is to be made possible.

SUMMARY

This object is achieved by an illuminant in accordance with patent Claim1. The illuminant comprises a carrier element with a semiconductorlighting element. The carrier element may hold the semiconductorlighting element or, alternatively, may also be a component of thesemiconductor lighting element. All planar semiconductor lightingelements can be considered for the semiconductor lighting element. Thesemiconductor lighting element is, in particular, an organiclight-emitting diode (OLED) that is applied in multiple layers in aplanar manner to a carrier surface of the carrier element. The carrierelement has a plate-like or foil-like form. The length and width of saidcarrier element are greater than its thickness, preferably by a factorof at least 10. The carrier element may be composed of several layersand, for example, comprise two glass plates between which thesemiconductor lighting element is arranged.

The plate-like or foil-like carrier element is arranged in an illuminanthousing. The illuminant housing has a light exit opening through whichthe semiconductor lighting element can emit light. Preferably, theilluminant housing completely encloses the carrier element—apart fromthe light exit opening. The illuminant housing is electricallyinsulating. In this manner, protection against accidental contact isprovided, so that the illuminant can be used for low-voltage lamps aswell as for high-voltage lamps. In particular, the illuminant housingcomprises a frame, said frame delimiting the light exit opening all theway around, and a housing rear wall.

An illuminant connection device is provided on the rear face of theilluminant housing on the housing rear wall. This illuminant connectiondevice is disposed to establish a mechanical, as well as an electrical,connection with a socket. By arranging the connection device on the rearside of the illuminant opposite the front side, it can completely coverthe socket once the connection has been established. Due to this, aparticularly visually pleasing overall appearance of the lamp can beachieved. A simple option for the connection between the illuminant andthe socket can be achieved, for example, in that the illuminantconnection device comprises a detent means and/or a plug means. In sodoing, the illuminant can preferably be snapped on or slipped on at aright angle with respect to the plane of its preferably planarillumination surface. Therefore, mounting and replacing the illuminantare particularly easy and can be accomplished, in particular, withouttools.

Preferably, the rear face of the illuminant housing has a recess that isdisposed for the at least partial accommodation of the socket.Consequently, once the connection is established, the socket extendsinto the recess of the illuminant housing. In particular, the illuminantconnection device is arranged in the recess. In this manner, it ispossible to improve the protection against accidental contact on theconnection site between the illuminant and the socket and, additionally,achieve a flat design for a planar illuminant.

The illuminant connection device may have a design that is symmetricalrelative to a point of symmetry or an axis of symmetry on the rear faceof the illuminant housing. Considering such a design, it is possible toslip the illuminant onto the socket in several orientations.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the frame of the illuminant housinghas an abutment surface against which abuts a light-emitting side of thecarrier element, in particular in a planar manner. Both the abutmentsurface and the light-emitting side are configured, in particular, asplanar surfaces. In this manner, the relative position between theilluminant housing and the carrier element is defined. Preferably, theabutment surface circumscribes the light exit opening. An undesirabletilting of the light-emitting side relative to the illuminant housingcan be avoided. Such tilting could create visually unattractive mirroreffects when the lamp is switched off, in particular if the illuminantcomprises several illuminants on a common plane.

In order to achieve a particularly good alignment between the illuminantand the socket it is advantageous if the illuminant connection devicecomprises several detent means and/or plug means, said means beingprovided at a distance from each other on the rear side of theilluminant housing. As a result of this, several spaced apart connectionpoints are created, these allowing a more accurate positional fixationof the illuminant on the socket. For example, the rear face of theilluminant housing may also have a surface that abuts against acounter-face of the socket once the connection is established.

Elastic bearing elements may be arranged in the illuminant housingbetween the carrier element and the cover, said elements pressing thelight-emitting side of the carrier element against the abutment surfaceon the frame. In this manner, in can be ensured that the carrier elementalways takes the desired nominal position. In doing so, an adhesiveconnection with the carrier element is not necessary so that, if thereis a defect, the carrier element can be easily exchanged.

For providing the electrical connection with the socket, the illuminantconnection device is preferably accessible via the electrical illuminantconnections that are provided on the rear face of the illuminant housingand may be provided in addition to the detent means and/or plug means.Consequently, the mechanical and electrical connection may be uncoupled.This can be advantageous if the illuminant must be connected with asocket mounted to a ceiling. Then the weight must not be carried by theelectrical illuminant connections but will be taken by the additionalmechanical connection means.

Semiconductor contact surfaces may be provided on the carrier element,said surfaces being electrically connected either to the anode or to thecathode of the semiconductor illuminant element. If more than onesemiconductor illuminant element is provided on the carrier element, itis possible to provide correspondingly more than two semiconductorcontact surfaces. Preferably, the semiconductor contact surfaces arelocated on the contact side of the carrier element opposite thelight-emitting side. Therefore, the semiconductor illuminant elementscan be electrically contacted by the contact side facing away from thelight-emitting side in the illuminant. The semiconductor contactsurfaces are arranged within the electrically insulating illuminanthousing and are thus protected against accidental contact.

Each illuminant connection of the illuminant connection device iselectrically connected to an illuminant contact. This electricalconnection is provided within the illuminant housing. Each illuminantcontact abuts against one of the semiconductor contact surfaces. Toaccomplish this, an electrically conductive illuminant contact part ispreferably arranged in the illuminant housing, said illuminant contactpart comprising the illuminant contact as well as the illuminantconnection. The illuminant contact part can be made of a uniformmaterial as a one-piece punched and/or bent part without joints orconnecting points. Such an illuminant contact part can be manufacturedin a simple and economical manner. Referring to a preferred exemplaryembodiment, the illuminant contact part has a spring-elastic zone thatrepresents one of the bearing elements. Via this spring-elastic zone,the carrier element is elastically biased against the abutment surfaceof the frame. In this embodiment, separate bearing elements are notneeded.

The socket belonging to the illuminant comprises a socket housing thatcomprises a socket connection device on the connection side associatedwith the illuminant. The mechanical, as well as the electrical,connection with the illuminant can be established via the socketconnection device. In doing so, the socket connection device and theilluminant connection device are preferably interacting. The mountingside of the socket housing on the side opposite the connection side ispreferably disposed for fastening the socket housing to a mountingsurface. Socket housing sides connect the connection side and themounting side of the socket housing. On at least one socket housingside, there are provided supply connections for an electrical connectionof the socket with a supply line. Preferably, such supply connectionsare provided on several socket housing sides so that the electricalwiring of a lamp with several sockets is simplified.

The supply connections of the socket are allocated to the positiveterminal or to the negative terminal. Considering an advantageousembodiment, all the supply connections displaying the same polarity areelectrically short-circuited with one another. Consequently, the seriesor parallel connection of several sockets of a lamp is simplified. Eachsocket housing side having supply connections is provided, for example,with each a supply connection displaying positive polarity and a supplyconnection displaying negative polarity. It is particularly preferredthat each of the socket housing sides have supply connections displayingpositive or negative polarity.

Preferably, the socket housing contains, in particular, two electricallyconductive short-circuit connectors. Each short-circuit connector may beproduced as a one-piece punched and/or bent part without joints orconnecting points and consisting of a uniform material. Eachshort-circuit connector comprises several connection surfaces. Each ofthe supply connections that is short-circuited by the short-circuitconnector is allocated one of the connection surfaces of a commonshort-circuit connector. The electrical wires of the supply line contactthese abutment surfaces when the socket is connected to the supply line.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the socket connection devicecomprises electrical socket connections that are disposed for theelectrical connection with the illuminant. In doing so, it is possible,in particular, for an additional mechanical connection to occur betweenthe detent means and/or the plug means. The socket connections interactwith the illuminant connections of an associate illuminant, for example.

Preferably, the socket connections displaying the same polarity are alsoelectrically short-circuited with each other. In particular, thisshort-circuit connection is accomplished by one of the short-circuitconnectors. In this way it is possible to provide several socketconnections on the socket, said connections displaying the same polarityand having the same voltage applied to them. Each illuminant connectionprovided on the illuminant can thus be connected to one of the socketconnections displaying the same polarity. In doing so, this alsoprovides the option that the illuminant can be connected to the socketin various orientations or alignments.

Furthermore, it is of advantage if the short-circuit connectorassociated with the negative pole and the short-circuit connectorconnected with the positive pole have an identical form. In doing so, itis sufficient to only manufacture one form of short-circuit connector,thus reducing the costs of the socket. Each short-circuit connector mayhave a connecting section and contact surfaces at an angle relative tothe connecting section. In the normal position of use, the short-circuitconnectors may cross each other, thus being arranged separated from eachother by an insulation distance. This isolation distance can be achievedif both short circuit members are preferably inserted in reverseposition in the socket housing.

The lamp in accordance with the invention comprises an illuminant aswell as a socket. Preferably, several sockets are arranged next to eachother on a mounting surface, for example, in rows and/or columns. Indoing so, the illuminants mounted to the sockets have a common totalillumination surface. Preferably, the illuminant housing may have arectangular contour so that several illuminants forming a common totalillumination surface fit tightly against each other along a longitudinalside or a transverse side of the illuminant housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantageous embodiments can be inferred from the dependent patentclaims, as well as from the description. The description is restrictedto essential features of the invention as well as to miscellaneoussituations. The drawings are intended as a supplementary reference. Theyshow in

FIG. 1 a schematic representation, similar to a block circuit diagram,of a lamp comprising several illuminants and several sockets;

FIG. 2 a perspective, exploded, representation of an exemplaryembodiment of an illuminant;

FIG. 2a a perspective representation of an illuminant contact part ofthe illuminant as in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 a perspective representation of the illuminant as in FIG. 2, witha view of the rear side, as well as a perspective representation of anexemplary embodiment of a socket;

FIG. 4 the illuminant and the socket as in FIG. 3, with the connectionestablished;

FIG. 5 a perspective representation of the illuminant and the socket asin FIG. 4, wherein the housing rear wall of the illuminant, as well asthe mounting surface of the socket, have been removed in order toillustrate the electrical connection;

FIG. 6 a perspective, exploded, representation of the socket as in FIGS.3 through 5;

FIG. 7 the socket as in FIG. 6, in partially mounted state;

FIG. 8 a plan view of the opened socket housing, viewed from themounting side;

FIG. 9 a perspective view of the illuminant and the socket as in FIG. 3,looking obliquely at the front side of the illuminant and the connectionside of the socket; and

FIG. 10 a side view of the illuminant and the socket, with theconnection established.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram resembling a block circuit diagram of alamp 15 that is connected to a voltage source 17 via a supply line 16.The voltage source 17 provides a DC voltage for supplying the lamp 15.The voltage source 17 may be a ballast device, for example. Only forsymbolic purposes, a switch 18 exists in the supply line 16, said switchbeing disposed for switching the lamp 15 on and off. Instead of avoltage source 17, it is also conceivable to use a power source 17′ ashas been schematically indicated in chain lines. The power source 17′may be a component of a ballast device. The power source 17′ may also bearranged as a power driver within the socket 20 and can be connected tothe conventional voltage network. The sockets 20 are preferablyconnected in series to the power source 17′.

The lamp 15 comprises at least one socket 20. In the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 1, several sockets 20 are provided, said socketsbeing arranged in a matrix-like manner at regular distances from eachother in several rows 21 or in several columns 22. Each socket 20 ismechanically, as well as electrically, connected to an illuminant 23. Inthe exemplary embodiment, the illuminants 23 have a rectangular design.The illumination surfaces 24 of the illuminants 23 form a common totalillumination surface of the lamp 15. In doing so, they are preferably inabutment with each other along the longitudinal edges or the transverseedges. The distance of the sockets 20 from each other is fixedaccordingly. For connecting an illuminant 23 with a socket 20, saidilluminant is slipped or snapped—in slip-on direction at a right angleto its illumination surface 24—onto the associate socket 20, without theuse of tools. In the opposite, slip-off, direction the illuminant 23 mayalso be pulled from the socket 20, preferably without the use of tools.

On the one hand, the invention relates to the design of the illuminant23 and, independently thereof, to the design of the socket 20. Inaddition, the socket 20 and the illuminant 23 can be combined to form alamp 15.

FIG. 2 is a perspective, exploded, representation of an exemplaryembodiment of the illuminant 23. The illuminant 23 comprises a carrierelement 25 that has the form of a plate or foil. The carrier element 25comprises the semiconductor lighting element or is a component of thesemiconductor lighting element. In the exemplary embodiment, the carrierelement 25 is composed of several layers in a sandwich-like manner. Indoing so, the semiconductor lighting element is arranged between atransparent front plate or foil 26 and a rear plate or foil 27. In theexemplary embodiment, the plates 26, 27 are glass plates. The frontplate or foil 26 is larger than the rear plate or foil 27 and, in theexemplary embodiment, extends over the rear plate or foil 27 on twoopposing sides. The front surface of the front plate or foil 26 facingaway from the semiconductor lighting element is the illumination surface24 of the illuminant 23. Electrical contact surfaces 28 are provided onthe contact side of the front plate 26, said contact side facing awayfrom the illumination surface 24. It is possible to provide one or morepairs of contact surfaces 28. In the exemplary embodiment, two pairs ofcontact surfaces 28 are provided on the two projections of the frontplate 26. Therefore, the semiconductor lighting element can be contactedat various points in order to achieve a more uniform illuminationappearance, even when large illumination surfaces 24 are intended. Onecontact surface 28 of a pair is connected to the anode and the othercontact surface 28 of the same pair is connected to the cathode of thesemiconductor lighting element. FIG. 5 shows the contact surfaces 28. Inthe exemplary embodiment, the contact surfaces 28 are arranged on twoopposite sides of the semiconductor lighting element.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the illumination surface 24 isdesigned so as to be a planar surface. In the lamp 15 shown by FIG. 1,the planar illumination surfaces 24 of the illuminant elements 23 arelocated on a common plane. In this manner, it is possible to modularlyassemble large total illumination surfaces of individual illuminationsurfaces 24 of the illuminants 23 on ceilings or walls.

Furthermore, the illuminant 23 comprises an illuminant housing 30 thatconsists of an electrically insulating material. In doing so, the termelectrically insulating is to be understood here to mean that the DCvoltages of up to 200 V and direct currents of up to 2 to 3 A usuallyapplied to the lamps 15 are insulated from each other. The illuminanthousing 30 consists of a frame 31 and a housing rear wall 32 betweenwhich the carrier element 25 is supported. The frame 31 has a light exitopening 33 that has a rectangular contour in the exemplary embodiment.The light of the illumination surface 24 is emitted through the lightexit opening 33. Consequently, the illumination surface 24 representsthe light-emitting side of the carrier element 25. The illuminanthousing 30 preferably consists of a plastic material, for example,polycarbonate. This housing can be manufactured in an extremely simpleand cost-effective manner by injection molding. Polycarbonate isamorphous and has minimal distortion.

Preferably, the illuminant housing 30 has a square or rectangularcontour. In the preferred exemplary embodiment, it has a size of 150 by150 millimeters. Side lengths corresponding to an integer divisor of 600millimeters are preferred because ceilings in office or factorybuildings frequently are divided into a grid of 600 by 600 millimeters.This results, for example, in building dimensions (length by width, orwidth by length) of 300 by 300 millimeters, 150 by 300 millimeters, 200by 150 millimeters, 100 by 100 millimeters, 100 by 200 millimeters, etc.

The thickness or depth of the illuminant hosing 30 between theillumination surface 24 and a rear face 66 of the housing wall 32decreases from a center region toward all the sides in outwarddirection. As a result of this tapering housing shape a particularlyadvantageous visually pleasing appearance is achieved. The flatness ofthe illuminant housing 30 is emphasized. At the same time, there issufficient space for the accommodation of the socket 20 in the centerregion.

A circumscribing strip 34 encloses the light exit opening 33. On theside facing the illumination surface 24, the strip 34 has an abutmentsurface 35 against which abuts the outer edge of the light-emitting sideof the carrier element 25. The abutment surface 35 is configured as aplanar surface. In modification of the exemplary embodiment, theabutment surface 35 could also be only provided on the two stripsections 36 that are provided on opposite sides of the light exitopening 33. In particular, the strip sections 36 are provided at thelocation, where the contact surfaces 28 are arranged on the carrierelement 25 or on the front plate 26 in order to ensure, at the sametime, sufficient protection against accidental contact. Considering eachand every embodiment of the abutment surface 35, said surface has to beconfigured in such a manner that a desired orientation of theillumination surface 24 relative to the illuminant housing 30 isestablished. Basically, this can already be accomplished with threespaced apart abutment points.

Illuminant contact parts 39 for electrically contacting thesemiconductor lighting elements are provided between the housing rearwall 32 and the carrier element 25. FIG. 2a shows an enlargedrepresentation of the illuminant contact part 39. The illuminant contactpart 39 is made of a one-piece member and does not possess any joints orseams, and consists of a uniform material. Preferably, it is configuredas a punched or bent part and is manufactured by being punched out ofsheet metal and by being subsequently bent into the desired form.

The illuminant contact part 39 comprises an illuminant contact 40 withwhich the illuminant contact part 39 abuts against the associate contactsurface 28 on the carrier element 25. The illuminant contact 40 may haveseveral contact points 41 that abut against the illuminant contact 40 onthe associate contact surface 28. Referring to the exemplary embodiment,several, and preferably three, contact tabs 42 are provided, each ofsaid tabs having the same shape. Each contact tab 42 has a planarsection 42 a where the free end section 42 b having the contact point 41adjoins. The end section 42 b is at an angle relative to the planesection 42 a and has a curved profile. The contact tabs 42 can be movedtoward each other and are separated from each other by slits 43.Consequently, in the normal position of use, a spring action of thecontact tabs 42 is created so that the contact points 41 abut againstthe contact surface 28 with a specific spring bias.

In the preferred exemplary embodiment as in FIG. 2, the illuminant 23has two contact surfaces 28 each for the anode and for the cathode.Accordingly, the illuminant 23 has four illuminant contact parts 39.

The illuminant contact 40 forms the first end 44 of the illuminantcontact part 39. On the opposite, second, end 45, the illuminant contactpart 39 has an illuminant connection 46 that is disposed for theelectrical connection with the socket 20. The illuminant connection 46is configured as a detent-plug connection. It comprises two contactwings 48 that are connected with each other via a crosspiece 47, saidcontact wings being identical in form. The contact wings 48 extendtransversely from the crosspiece 47, in which case they first approacheach other up to a bending point 49 and then, beginning at the bendingpoint 49, extend away from each other toward their respectively free end50. The two contact wings 48 are at the smallest distance from eachother at the opposing bending points 49. The contact wings 48 extendaway from the crosspiece in a direction opposite the bent ends 42 b ofthe contact part 40. The crosspiece 47 is located on approximately thesame plane as the planar section 42 a of the contact tabs 42.

The first end 45 of the illuminant contact part 39 terminates in aholding section 51 where a holding clamp 52 is provided. In accordancewith the example, the holding section 51 has an offset 53 within whichthe holding clamp 52 is located. The holding clamp is formed by twoopposing clamping tabs 54 that are resiliently supported on oppositesides of a holding recess 25 on the holding section 51. The two reeds 54extend obliquely toward each other above the retention opening 55 in theoffset 53 so that their free ends are arranged next to each other in theoffset 43. In the normal position of use, the illuminant contact part 39is slipped onto a retention projection on the housing rear wall 32, saidprojection extending through the retention opening 55 and, in so doing,being affected in a clamping manner on both sides by the clamping tabs54.

The illuminant contact part 39 has a spring-elastic zone 57 between theretention section 51 and the first end 44. The spring-elastic zone 57has an elastically resilient spring tab 59 that is arranged on the tabholding part 58 of the spring-elastic zone 57. In particular, saidspring tab is punched out of the tab holding part 58 and is angled atthe edge of the punched out opening. The spring tab 59 extends obliquelyaway from the tab holding part 58. In the exemplary embodiment, the tabholding part 58 is in planar extension of the planar section 42 a of thecontact tabs 42. In the normal position of use, the spring tab 59 of thespring-elastic zone 57 acts as an elastic bearing element 60. One ormore elastic bearing elements 60 are provided between the housing rearwall 32 and the carrier element 25 in order to press the carrier element25 against the abutment surface 35 of the frame 31, so that said carrierelement adopts the desired position. As is shown by FIG. 2, in this casethere are four bearing elements 60. In the preferred exemplaryembodiment, they are represented by the spring-elastic zone 57 and, inparticular, by the spring tab 59. In the normal position of use, thespring tab 59 abuts against the carrier element 25 in a spring-biasedmanner.

In mounted condition, the illuminant contact parts 39 are respectivelyseated in a receiving region 63 on the side 64 of the housing rear wall32 associated with the carrier element. Each receiving region 63 has anilluminant connection opening 65 for the illuminant connection 46, saidopening completely extending through the housing rear wall 32. As aresult of this, the illuminant connection 46 and the contact wings 48,respectively, are accessible from the rear face 66 of the housing rearwall 32.

In the established normal position of use of the illuminant 23, theframe 31 completely encloses the outside circumference of the housingrear wall 32. In doing so, preferably a detent connection is createdbetween the frame 31 and the housing rear wall 32. To accomplish this,the exemplary embodiment has locking catches 67 on at least two opposingside edges, said locking catches coming into engagement with theindentations on the inside of the circumscribing frame side 68.

On the rear face 66 of the illuminant 23 or the illuminant housing 30,an illuminant connection device 70 is provided, said device beingdisposed for establishing the electrical, as well as the mechanical,connection with the socket 20. The illuminant connection device 70comprises at least two and, in accordance with the example, fourilluminant connections 46. Each of these illuminant connections 46 isconnected in an electrically conductive manner with an illuminantcontact 40 via the illuminant contact part 39 and thus provides theelectrical connection to the respective anode or cathode of thesemiconductor lighting element.

The illuminant connection device 70 further comprises detent means 71that are exclusively disposed for establishing or aiding the mechanicalconnection between the illuminant 23 and the socket 20. In the describedexemplary embodiment, the detent means 71 are represented by severaldetent projections 72. The detent projections 72 extend away from therear face 66 of the illuminant housing 30. On their free ends, there isa lateral detent bulge 73. In snapped-on position, the detentprojections 72 extend through a detent recess 74 on the socket, and thedetent bulges 73 extend behind a respectively associated detent edge onthe socket 20. In the exemplary embodiment, the detent projections 72are arranged next to each other in pairs at a distance from each other.The detent bulges 73 extend in opposite direction away from therespectively adjacent detent projection 72.

The form and/or the size of the detent projections 72 and, inparticular, of the detent bulges 73 may be selected in such a mannerthat sufficient retention of the detent connection is ensured and alsothe forces for establishing and/or separating the detent connection donot become too great. For example, the inclination and/or the size of anoblique surface 74 a of the detent bulge 73 adjoining the free end ofthe detent projection 72 can be prespecified for adjusting the desiredslip-on force when the detent connection is made. Analogously, theinclination and/or the size of a detent abutment surface 74 b with whichthe detent bulge 73 abuts against the associate detent edge of thesocket 20 with the detent connection established can be prespecified foradjusting the desired pull-off force when separating the detentconnection. The size and inclination of the surfaces 74 a, 74 b relatesto the extension direction of the detent bulge 73 transverse to theslip-on and/or pull-off forces of the illuminant 23. The slip-on and/orpull-off forces are adapted to the stability of the illuminant 23 inorder to not damage it when it is being slipped on and pulled off.

The illuminant connection device 70 is arranged in a recess 75 of thehousing rear wall 32. The illuminant connections 46 and the detentprojections 72 are arranged so as to be point-symmetrical with respectto a center M of the recess 75 or the rear face 66. The detentprojections 72 are arranged so as to be aligned along a radial straightline through the center M on the housing rear wall 32. In the exemplaryembodiment, the illuminant 23 can thus be rotated by 180 degrees and beconnected to the socket 20 in both rotational positions.

Referring to a modified embodiment, a keying arrangement may beprovided. The illuminant connection device 70 comprises a keying element80 that interacts with a keying element of the socket 20 and allows theconnection between the illuminant 23 and the socket only in thepermissible relative positions. In this manner, electrically wrongconnections between the socket 20 and the illuminant 23 can beprevented. It is also possible to provide several keying elements 80.Each keying element 80 is allocated a keying element of the socket 20.The keying element 80 and the associate complementary keying element canhave any desired form. For example, the keying element 80 may also be adetent projection 72 or be arranged on the detent projection 72. In theexemplary embodiment, the detent projections 72 act as keying elements80 that, based on their position, allow only the two above-describedorientations of the illuminant 23 when the connection with the socket 20is being established. Alternatively, the keying arrangements may alsoallow only one, or more than two, possible relative positions betweenthe illuminant 23 and the socket 20 when the connection is beingestablished.

In this case, the recess 75 has a rectangular and, in particular, asquare contour. The recess 75 is centered in the housing rear wall 32.On all four sides, the recess 75 extends in respectively one supplychannel 76. The channels 76 and the recess 75 have a common, preferablyplanar, bottom 77 that forms the rear face 66 of the housing rear wall32 within the recess 75 and the supply channels. With the connectionbetween the socket 20 and the illuminant 23 established, the supplychannels 76 are disposed for accommodating the cable 78 of the supplyline 16 connected with the socket 20 (FIG. 4). In the region of thesupply channels 76 and the recess 75, the inside of the housing rearwall 32 is essentially planar. Next to this essentially planar region,the housing rear wall 32 has, in its respective corner region, anarrangement of stiffening ribs 79. A receiving region 63 for arespective illuminant contact part 39 is provided in a respective cornerregion with stiffening ribs 79. The stiffening ribs 79 have recesses forthe accommodation of the illuminant contact part 39 in the receivingregion 63.

In the exemplary embodiment, the illuminant 23 comprises only a fewindividual parts: the illuminant housing 30, the carrier element 25 withone or more semiconductor lighting elements, and two illuminant contactparts 39 for each existing semiconductor lighting element. Theilluminant contact parts 39 are identical. Consequently, the illuminant23 can be manufactured in a cost-effective manner. Several illuminants23 can be grouped in a simple manner, wherein the illumination surfaces24 can be easily oriented on one plane. Lamps 15 having a large totalillumination surface can be composed. Because of the encapsulation ofthe electrical connections in the illuminant housing 30 the illuminant23 is also suitable for higher DC voltages in the range of 200 V.

FIG. 6 is an exploded representation of a socket 20 in accordance withthe invention. The socket 20 comprises a socket housing 90 that, in theexemplary embodiment, consists of two connectable housing shells 91. Thesocket housing 90 has four rectangular corners 92 where two adjacentsocket housing sides 93 adjoin one another. On at least one, preferablyseveral and, in the exemplary embodiment, all socket housing sides 93there is a connection region 94 with at least one electrical supplyconnection 95.

The supply connection region 94 is represented by a connection recess 96in the socket housing 90. In plan view of the socket housing 90, theconnection recess has the shape of a trapeze and represents a notch inthe respective socket housing side 93. Beginning at the side sectionsadjoining the corners 92, the connection recess 96 tapers inward throughtwo opposing clamping sides 97 in downward direction. The clamping sidesare connected with each other via a center side section 98. In thiscenter side section 98, a connection opening 99 is provided for eachsupply connection 95. Referring to the exemplary embodiment,respectively one half of the connection opening 99 is provided on one ofthe two housing shells 91. In the exemplary embodiment, one or moreprojecting clamping strips 100 are provided on the clamping sides 97.

The socket 20 comprises several supply connections 95 displayingdifferent polarities. One part of the supply connections 95 is allocatedto the negative pole, and another part is allocated to the positive poleof the supply DC voltage. On each socket housing side 93 there is atleast one supply connection 95 associated with the positive pole, aswell as a supply connection 95 associated with the negative pole.Referring to the exemplary embodiment of the socket 20 described here, asupply connection 95 associated with the positive pole and a supplyconnection 95 associated with the negative pole is arranged in thesupply connection region 94. With the connection with the illuminant 23established, the supply connection region 94 is located at the pointwithin the recess 75 where the supply channels 76 terminate in therecess 75. In doing so, the maximum width of the connection recess 96corresponds approximately to the width of the supply channel 76.

Each supply connection region 94 is associated with a strain reliefmeans 103 that can be detachably fastened to the socket housing 20, forexample with the aid of a center screw 104. An internal thread 105 isprovided on the socket housing 90 and is open toward the center sidesection 98. The strain relief means 103 is a clamping member 106 thathas a contour adapted to the connection recess 96. In plan view, it alsohas a trapezoidal contour. On its inside associated with the center sidesection 98, said clamping member also has two flat insertion tabs 107that can be inserted in associate insertion slits 108 on the sockethousing 90. The insertion slits 108 are respectively located between theinternal thread 105 and a connection opening 99.

On the sides associated with the clamping sides 97, the clamping member106 has a clamping edge 109 that—with the clamping member 106 fastenedto the socket housing 90—is located at a distance opposite the twoclamping strips 100 of the associate clamping side 97. A cable 78provided between the clamping edge 109 and the clamping strips 100 isclamped in place in a non-positive manner and is thus strain-relieved.As a result of the screwed connection 104, 105 the strain relief is ableto absorb sufficient pulling forces on the cable 78. The number ofclamping edges 109 and the clamping strips 100 for cable clamping mayvary.

The mechanical connection between the two housing shells 91 can beestablished by a detent connection, in which case several detent hooks110 are provided on one housing shell 91, said detent hooks beingbrought into detent connection with not specifically illustrated detentcounter means on the other housing shell 91 when the two housing shells91 are being snapped together.

The supply connections 95 are configured as electrical clampingconnections. Each supply connection 95 comprises an electricallyconductive connection surface 114. Each connection surface 114 isassociated with a resilient connection clamp 115 the free end ofwhich—in rest position—abuts against the connection surface 114 or is atleast located at a minimal distance opposite said connection surface.The connection surface 114 is arranged parallel to an insertiondirection E next to the insertion opening 99. On the opposite side ofthe insertion opening 99, the connection clamp 115 is connected in aresiliently pivotable manner. In its home position, the connection clamp115 thus extends behind the associate connection opening 99 in a mannerso as to be inclined relative to the connection surface 114. When a wireend of a cable 78 is inserted, the connection clamp 115 is pivoted awayfrom the associate connection surface 114 by the wire end inserted ininsertion direction E and pushes the not insulated wire end resilientlyagainst the connection surface 114, so that a safe electrical contact isestablished between the wire of the cable 78 and the connection surface114. In this manner, when a lamp 15 is mounted, a very simple cabling ofthe sockets 20 can be accomplished. Inasmuch as the socket 20 comprisessupply connections 95 on several and, for example, on all socket housingsides 93, the supply line 16 can be connected from all sides to thesocket 20.

In the socket housing 90, all supply connections 95 displaying the samepolarity are short-circuited with each other and are thus on the samepotential. As a result of this, a very simple series or parallelconnection of several sockets 20 or associate illuminants 23 is madepossible, because the socket housing 90 on one of the supply connections95 can be selectively electrically connected to a supply connection 95of another socket housing 90. Referring to the exemplary embodiment ofthe lamp 15 shown by FIG. 1, the sockets 20 are connected in series witheach other (supply line 16 in solid and dashed lines). The supply line16 is routed from the positive pole of the voltage source 17 in seriesthrough all the sockets 20 and, beginning with the last socket 20, ispreferably routed directly back to the negative pole of the voltagesource 17. This could be accomplished in an equally simple manner with aparallel connection of the sockets 20, as has been indicated as analternative in dotted supply lines 16 in FIG. 1. Due to the fact thatthe sockets 20 have supply connections 95 from all sides, the effortrequired for wiring a lamp 15 with several sockets 20 is extremelyminimal.

The sockets 20 can also be connected in groups to a respectivelyallocated voltage source 17 or power source 17′ and can preferably beconnected in series or also in parallel.

The short circuit of the supply connection 95 displaying the samepolarity is achieved in that the connection surfaces 114 of the supplyconnections 95 displaying the same polarity are provided on a commonshort-circuit connector 116. The short-circuit connector 116 isconfigured as an electrically conductive component. In the exemplaryembodiment, it is made of a uniform material in one piece withoutconnecting and joining points and is configured, in particular, as apunched bent part. For example, the short-circuit connector 116 can bepunched out of an electrically conductive sheet metal and be bent intothe desired form, and can thus be manufactured in a cost-effective andsimple manner. All the short-circuit connectors 116 are identical.Therefore, only one type and one single form of the short-circuitconnector 116 needs to be manufactured for the socket 20.

In addition, the short-circuit connector 116 comprises one or moresocket connections 117 that are disposed for the electrical connectionwith an associate illuminant 23. In the exemplary embodiment, two socketconnections 117 are provided on each short-circuit connector 116, saidsocket connections thus being electrically short-circuited via theshort-circuit connector 116. As a result of this, not only the supplyconnections 95 displaying the same polarity but also the socketconnections 118 displaying the same polarity are electricallyshort-circuited—in accordance with the example—via a commonshort-circuit connector 116. In the exemplary embodiment, the socket 20is disposed for connecting one illuminant with two semiconductorlighting elements, each having one anode and one cathode connection.Consequently, two socket connections 117 displaying positive polarityand two socket connections 117 displaying negative polarity areprovided. The number of pairs of socket connections 117 having differentpolarities can thus depend on the number of semiconductor lightingelements present in the illuminant 23.

Each short-circuit connector 116 comprises a base section 118 extendingessentially on one plane. This base section 118 may have severalopenings 119. Different positioning and connecting means provided in thesocket housing 90 may extend through the openings 19, as is illustrated,for example, by FIG. 7.

A socket connection 117 is provided on each of the two opposite ends ofthe base section 118. The socket connection 117 comprises two oppositelyarranged connection tabs 120 extending in transverse direction away fromthe base section 118. Beginning with the base section 118, the twoconnection tabs 120 initially extend away from each other up to a kinkpoint 121 and, beginning at the kink point, again toward each other upto their respective free ends, wherein the free ends are a distance fromeach other. The two connection tabs 121 are identically configured. Thesocket connection is symmetrical with respect to a center plane. Therespective center planes through the socket connections 117 of ashort-circuit connector 116 extend at a distance in parallel direction.The center planes of the socket connections 117 are angled atapproximately 45 degrees relative to a longitudinal center axis throughthe base section 118.

The connection surfaces 114 provided on the short-circuit connector 116are provided on essentially planar connection parts 122. The connectionsurfaces 114 are inclined at an angle of approximately 45 degreesrelative to the longitudinal center axis through the base section 118.Said connection surfaces extend either parallel to the center planes ofthe socket connections 117 or at a right angle thereto. The connectionparts 122 having the connection surfaces 114 extend essentially at aright angle from the base section 118. The free ends of the connectiontabs 120 and the free end edges of the connection parts 122 are arrangedon the same side at a distance from the base section 118 and canpreferably be located on about one plane. Apart from the socketconnections 117, the short-circuit connector 116 is designed so as to besymmetrical to its longitudinal center plane.

Each connection surface 114 of a short-circuit connector 116 is assignedto another supply connection region 94. One of the short-circuitconnectors 114 has the connection surfaces 114 of the supply connections95 displaying positive polarity, whereas the other short-circuitconnector 116 has the connection surfaces 114 of the supply connections95 displaying negative polarity.

The supply connections 95 of directly adjacent supply connection regions94, said supply connections displaying the same polarity, arearranged—viewed in circumferential direction—next to each other aroundthe socket housing 90, i.e., beginning from a corner 92, a supplyconnection 95 displaying the same polarity follows on both sockethousing sides 93. These two supply connections 95 are allocated a commonclamping member 125 having end sections forming a connection clamp 115for different supply connections 95. The two connection clamps 115 areconnected to each other via a center piece 126. The connection clamps115 extend in transverse direction away from the center piece 126, inwhich case their distance increases. The center piece 126 and theconnection clamp 115 subtend an angle in the range of 100 to 110degrees. In the exemplary embodiment, the transition between theconnection clamp 115 and the center piece 126 is configured so as to beangled twice. An abutment part 127 is bent at a right angle on onelongitudinal edge of the center piece 126, said abutment part beingsupported by the base surface of one of the two housing halves 91 in thenormal position of use. In the transition region between the centerpiece 126 and the clamping element 115, the connecting clamp member 125abuts against respectively one support projection 128 of the sockethousing 90. The support projection 128 is arranged opposite theconnection surface 114 next to the connection opening 99 in one of thetwo housing halves 91. The abutment part 127 is arranged between the twosupport projections 128.

In accordance with the example, two and a total of four connecting clampmembers 125 are provided for the four supply connections 95 displayingpositive polarity and the four supply connections displaying negativepolarity.

In the normal position of use, the two short-circuit connectors 116cross in the socket housing 90, wherein they extend relative to eachother at an insulation distance A at the crossing point. At the crossingpoint, no insulating materials are provided between the twoshort-circuit connectors 116. The region between the two short-circuitconnectors 116 at the crossing point is configured as a free space. Inorder to achieve the insulation distance A at the crossing point, one ofthe two short-circuit members 116 is arranged in back position and, forexample, rotated—as in the example—by 90 degrees relative to therespectively other short-circuit member 116 in the socket housing 90.The free ends of the connection parts 122 and/or the connection tabs 120of the one short-circuit member 116 are preferably located on a planewhere the base section 118 of the respectively other short-circuitmember 116 is located. At least the distance of the plane—where the freeends of the connection parts 122 and/or the connection tabs 120 of theone short-circuit member 116 are located—from the base section 118 ofthe other short-circuit member 116 is smaller than the distance betweenthe two short-circuit members 116. The base section 118 of the oneshort-circuit connector abuts against the inside of one housing half 91,whereas the base section 118 of the respectively other short-circuitconnector 116 abuts against the inside of the respectively other housingshell 91. In other words: the base sections 118 of the two short-circuitconnectors 116 are arranged, at an insulation distance A, on essentiallyparallel planes in the socket housing 90.

The socket 20 comprises a socket connection device 130 disposed for themechanical and electrical connection of the socket with an associateilluminant 23. The socket connection device 130 comprises the socketconnections 117 that are provided on the short-circuit connectors 116,in accordance with the example. Furthermore, the socket connectiondevice 130 comprises mechanical connection means that ensure themechanical connection with the illuminant 23 alone or together with thesocket connections 117. The socket connection device 130 is provided ona connection side 131 of the socket housing 90 and can be accessed fromthis connection side 131. The mounting side 132 opposite the connectionside 131 is disposed for mounting the socket housing to a mountingsurface, for example the wall or ceiling of a room, or to any othersurface.

In the exemplary embodiment described here, the mechanical connectionmeans of the socket connection device 130 are formed by the detent edges133 that are arranged in the socket housing 90 adjoining a sockethousing opening 134. Resiliently supported holding elements 135 aremolded to two opposing sides of the socket housing opening 134, saidholding elements being hinged in an elastically pivotable manneradjoining the socket housing opening 134. On their respective free end,they support the detent edge 133 projecting toward the respectivelyopposite holding element 135. Detent projections 72 having detent bulges73 can extend through the socket housing opening 134 into the sockethousing 90 and extend around the detent edges 133 in order to establishthe mechanical connection between the socket 20 and the illuminant 23.

Furthermore, socket connection openings 135 via which the socketconnections 117 can be accessed are provided on the connection side 131of the socket housing 90. In the exemplary embodiment, each socketconnection 117 is allocated two socket connection openings 135 so thatboth connection tabs 120 of a socket connection 117 can be accessed viarespectively one socket connection opening 135. The socket connectionopenings 135 have the form of slits for reasons of protection againstaccidental contact, so that touching the socket connection 117 with afinger becomes impossible.

Preferably, the electrical contact between the illuminant 23 and thesocket 20 is ensured in that the illuminant connections 46 come intoabutment with the socket connections 117. In the embodiments describedhere, the illuminant connections 46 extend around the socket connections117. In doing so, the two connection tabs 120 of a socket connection 117are located between the two contact wings 48 of the associate illuminantconnection 46. In doing so, respectively one contact wing 48 is inabutment with one connection tab 120. Due to the spring-elastic supportof the contact wings 48, as well as the contact tabs 120, a mechanicalclamping force is also generated when the electrical contact between theilluminant 23 and the socket 20 is being established. Should thismechanical clamping force be sufficient, additional mechanicalconnection means between the illuminant 23 and the socket 20 can beomitted.

The socket connection device 130 is provided so as to bepoint-symmetrical with respect to a center P on the connection side 131.Both the socket housing openings 134 are provided on a radial straightline through the center P at equal distances from the center P in theconnection side 131 of the socket housing 20. In doing so, the sockethousing 20 can be rotated by 180 degrees about a rotational axis throughthe center P and be connected with the illuminant 23 in these tworotational positions.

The present invention relates to an illuminant 23 and a socket 20 for alamp 15. The features of the socket 20 can also be implementedindependently of the features of the illuminant 23. The illuminant 23preferably has a planar illumination surface 24. One or moresemiconductor lighting elements are arranged in an illuminant housing30. The illuminant connection device 70 necessary for the mechanical andelectrical connection with the socket 20 is provided on the rear face 66of the illuminant 23 opposite the illumination surface 24. Thedimensions of the illuminant 23 are preferably greater than those of thesocket 20, so that the illuminant 23—viewed in the direction of theillumination surface 24—completely covers the socket 20. As a result ofthis, it is possible to achieve a particularly visually pleasingappearance. On several socket housing sides 93, the socket comprises asupply connection region, so that the electrical supply and wiring ofthe socket 20 can be accomplished selectively from different sides oralso, at the same time, from several sides. Irrespective of the numberand arrangement of the supply connection regions 94, several electricalsupply connections 95 displaying the same polarity are provided on thesocket 20. These supply connections 95 displaying the same polarity areelectrically short-circuited. Respectively one short-circuit connector116 is disposed for short-circuiting the supply connections displayingthe same polarity, in which case in particular two identicalshort-circuit connectors 116 are arranged in the socket housing 90. A DCvoltage is applied to the socket 20, which voltage can amount toapproximately 200 V. With this socket 20 and the illuminant 23, it ispossible to achieve, in a very simple modular manner, large totalillumination surfaces of a lamp 15 featuring a visually pleasing overallappearance.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   -   15 Lamp    -   16 Supply line    -   17 Voltage source    -   18 Switch    -   20 Socket    -   21 Row    -   22 Column    -   23 Illuminant    -   24 Illumination surface of 23    -   25 Carrier element    -   26 Front plate or foil    -   27 Rear plate or foil    -   30 Illuminant housing    -   31 Frame    -   32 Housing rear wall    -   33 Light exit opening    -   24 Strip    -   35 Abutment surface    -   36 Strip section    -   39 Illuminant contact part    -   40 Illuminant contact    -   41 Contact point    -   42 Contact tab    -   42 a Planar section of 42    -   42 b Free end of 42    -   43 Slit    -   44 First end of 39    -   45 Second end of 39    -   46 Illuminant connection    -   47 Crosspiece    -   48 Contact wing    -   49 Bending point    -   51 Holding section of 39    -   52 Holding clamp    -   53 Offset    -   54 Clamping tab    -   55 Retention opening    -   56 Retention projection    -   57 Spring-elastic zone    -   58 Tab holding part    -   59 Spring tab    -   60 Bearing element    -   63 Receiving region    -   64 Inside of 32    -   65 Illuminant connection opening    -   66 Rear face    -   67 Locking catch    -   68 Frame side    -   70 Illuminant connection device    -   71 Detent means    -   72 Detent projection    -   73 Detent bulge    -   74 a Oblique surface of 73    -   74 b Detent abutment surface of 73    -   75 Recess    -   76 Supply channel    -   77 Floor    -   78 Cable of 16    -   79 Stiffening rib    -   80 Keying element    -   90 Socket housing    -   91 Housing shells    -   92 Corner of 90    -   93 Socket housing side    -   94 Supply connection region    -   95 Supply connection    -   96 Connection recess    -   97 Clamping sides    -   98 Center side section    -   99 Connection opening    -   100 Clamping strip    -   103 Strain relief means    -   104 Screw    -   105 Internal thread    -   106 Clamping member    -   107 Insertion tab    -   108 Insertion slit    -   109 Clamping edge    -   110 Detent hook    -   114 Connection surface    -   115 Connection clamp    -   116 Short-circuit connector    -   117 Socket connection    -   118 Base section    -   119 Opening    -   120 Connection tab    -   121 Kink point    -   122 Connection part    -   125 Connecting clamp member    -   126 Center piece    -   127 Abutment part    -   128 Support projection    -   130 Socket connection device    -   131 Connection side    -   132 Mounting side    -   133 Detent edge    -   134 Socket housing opening    -   135 Socket connection opening    -   E Insertion direction    -   M Center of 23    -   P Center of 20

The invention claimed is:
 1. An illuminant for a lamp, the illuminantcomprising: a plate-like or foil-like carrier element comprising asemiconductor lighting element or being a component of a semiconductorlighting element; an illuminant housing comprising a frame and a housingrear wall between which the carrier element is supported, the framehaving, on a frame front side, a light exit opening for emitting lightand, the housing rear wall defining a recess on a rear face of theilluminant housing; an illuminant connection device located in therecess and configured to establish a mechanical and electricalconnection with a socket, wherein the recess is sized to receive thesocket and into which the socket can extend, wherein the illuminantconnection device comprises: at least two illuminant connectionsconfigured to make electrical contact between the carrier element andthe socket through openings defined in the housing rear wall, and one ormore detents and/or plugs separate from the at least two illuminantconnections and configured to provide mechanical connection between theilluminant and the socket, wherein the illumination connection deviceand the socket are both arranged to be point-symmetrical with respect toa point of symmetry such that the socket can connect to the illuminationconnection device in both of two positions rotated 180 degrees from oneanother.
 2. Illuminant as in claim 1, wherein a slip-on force and/or thepull-off force applied when establishing or separating a connectionbetween the illuminant and the socket are configured to be prespecifiedby the form and/or size of a detent projection.
 3. Illuminant as inclaim 1, wherein the illuminant connection device comprises a keyingdevice comprising at least one keying element configured to prespecifyat least one permissible relative position of the illuminant relative tothe socket when establishing a connection.
 4. Illuminant as in claim 1,further comprising an abutment surface of the frame abutted against alight-emitting side of the carrier element.
 5. Illuminant as in claim 4,further comprising elastic bearing elements disposed between the carrierelement and the housing rear wall, the bearing elements pushing thecarrier element against the abutment surface on the frame.
 6. Illuminantas in claim 1, wherein semiconductor contact surfaces are provided onthe carrier element, the semiconductor contact surfaces beingelectrically connected either with an anode or with a cathode of thesemiconductor lighting element.
 7. Illuminant as in claim 6, wherein thesemiconductor contact surfaces are disposed upon a side opposite alight-emitting side of the carrier element.
 8. Illuminant as in claim 6,wherein each of the at least two illuminant connections is electricallyconnected with an illuminant contact, the illuminant contact abuttingagainst one of the semiconductor contact surfaces.
 9. Illuminant as inclaim 8, further comprising an electrically conductive illuminantcontact part, the illuminant contact part comprising one of theilluminant connections and one of the illuminant contacts. 10.Illuminant as in claim 5, wherein the bearing elements are formed byspring-elastic zones of an illuminant contact part.
 11. Illuminant as inclaim 6, wherein the carrier element comprises two semiconductorlighting elements, each semiconductor lighting element having twosemiconductor contact surfaces.
 12. Lamp comprising: an illuminantcomprising a plate-like or foil-like carrier element, the carrierelement being a component of a semiconductor lighting element orcomprising a semiconductor lighting element; an illuminant housingcomprising a frame and a housing rear wall between which the carrierelement is supported, the frame having on a frame front side, a lightexit opening, and the housing rear wall defining a recess on a rear faceof the illuminant housing which is sized to receive a socket; anilluminant connection device located in the recess and configured toestablish a mechanical and electrical connection with the socket,wherein the recess is sized to receive the socket, wherein theilluminant connection device comprises: at least two illuminantconnections configured to make electrical contact between the carrierelement and the socket through openings defined in the housing rearwall, and one or more detents and/or plugs separate from the at leasttwo illuminant connections and configured to provide mechanicalconnection between the illuminant and the socket; the socket whichextends into the recess having, on a socket connection side associatedwith the rear side of the illuminant housing, a socket connection devicecomprising: electrical supply connections disposed to receive outsidepower conducts, and socket connections disposed to contact the at leasttwo illuminant connections when the socket is disposed within therecess, wherein the illuminant connection device, together with thesocket connection device, is disposed to establish a mechanical andelectrical connection between the illuminant and the socket when thesocket is disposed within the recess, and wherein the illuminationconnection device and the socket are both arranged to bepoint-symmetrical with respect to a point of symmetry such that thesocket can connect to the illumination connection device in both of twopositions rotated 180 degrees from one another.
 13. Lamp as in claim 12,wherein the light exit opening delimits a planar illumination surface ofthe illuminant.
 14. Lamp as in claim 13, wherein the illuminant, whenviewed at a right angle in the direction of the illumination surface,completely covers the socket.
 15. Lamp as in claim 12, furthercomprising a plurality of sockets.
 16. Lamp as in claim 15, wherein theillumination surfaces of the illuminants arranged on the sockets arelocated on a common plane.
 17. Illuminant as in claim 6, wherein each ofa plurality of electrical illuminant connections is electricallyconnected with an illuminant contact, the illuminant contact abuttingagainst one of the semiconductor contact surfaces.
 18. Illuminant as inclaim 8, wherein bearing elements are formed by spring-elastic zones ofan illuminant contact part.